Published 2:57 pm, Wednesday, March 2, 2016

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Midland College's Sierra Dixon (11) celebrates a win as Morgan Ashton (5) holds the ball while the clock runs out in overtime against Iowa Western's on Friday, Nov. 20, 2015, at Chaparral Center. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram less

Midland College's Sierra Dixon (11) celebrates a win as Morgan Ashton (5) holds the ball while the clock runs out in overtime against Iowa Western's on Friday, Nov. 20, 2015, at Chaparral Center. James ... more

The No. 13-ranked Midland College women’s basketball team has been anxious for weeks, waiting for the start of the NJCAA Region V Tournament.

Now that it’s here, the Lady Chaparrals (24-5) are going to have to go without a key player when they play McLennan Community College (14-15) at 2 p.m. today at the Brownwood Coliseum.

Sophomore shooting guard Sierra Dixon suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee in the second half of a 64-60 victory over Odessa College last week and is out for the season.

It’s tough to lose not only a sophomore leader but arguably the team’s deadliest 3-point shooter with a team-high 76 made from beyond the arc, while averaging 10.3 points per game.

“I feel really bad for Sierra, who won’t get to close out her career at Midland College the way she wanted to,” MC coach Ron Jones said. “She’s been a big part of what we do, she’s a good shooter from the outside and has been a good leader for us. But now we have to have others players step up, and I’m certain that they will.”

The Lady Chaps agree that it won’t be easy not having Dixon on the floor with them, but added they can find a way to overcome it.

“She’s just a big key for our team and her shooting is what keeps us in games a lot of the times,” sophomore guard Morgan Ashton said. “Having her out is definitely a big loss for us, but if we all work together we can definitely overcome it.”

Added sophomore post Walnatia Wright: “It just needs to be in the team’s mindset. We just have to believe it. The players just need to do what they do, just play like you did in high school. It’s the same as when we would sub her out. Just get in and play.”

While losing a key player is never easy, the sophomores are determined to win the tournament since an at-large bid to the NJCAA National Tournament in Lubbock is not a guarantee.

“I want to go further this year instead of just making it to regionals,” Wright said. “I feel the team shouldn’t be nervous but should be ready. I’m going to take it as another game. I feel it’s like an AAU tournament. At AAU you’re not just scared, you’re just playing. I just want to give it my all, because there’s only people watching.”

Wright added that she learned a lot from last year’s experience when the Lady Chaps made it to the regional semifinal round before losing to eventual tournament champion New Mexico Junior College in a close game.

“Now as a sophomore I feel like I’m here, I know what’s coming up. Last year, I didn’t feel that way, I guess since I was a freshman,” said Wright, who leads the team with 17.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. “I want to do more this year and I feel I’ve got to step up more.”

Ashton said it’s going to take a team effort to accomplish their goals.

“I think we need to all be focused and play our hardest and do our best, obviously, out on the court,” she said. “I think if we have our guards and post players working together then that’s the best thing for us.”

Notes & quotes: The Midland College women enter the tournament as the No. 2 seed out of the Western Junior College Athletic Conference, while McLennan is the No. 3 seed out of the Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference ... MC coach Ron Jones said the Highlassies are a talented team that matches his team’s size. “We just need to focus on getting defensive stops and make sure we have good possessions on the offensive end,” he said. ... MCC is led by 6-foot- sophomore forward Taya Taylor with 13.9 ppg, while 6-3 sophomore forward Caylinne Martin is averaging 13.2 ppg. ... The Lady Chaps are searching for their first Region V Tournament championship since 2013. ... This is the 22nd straight year MC has qualified for regionals.